School Defaced With Graffiti

June 07, 2002|By KEN BYRON; Courant Staff Writer

BERLIN — Racist graffiti and vandalism at Griswold School has left police, school administrators and parents stunned and disgusted.

The damage was discovered by school staff members who were opening the building Wednesday morning. Town maintenance workers quickly began removing the graffiti, and School Superintendent Richard Paskiewicz said only a handful of children would have seen it.

Police Capt. Larry Schubert said the graffiti included swastikas, the KKK sign of the Ku Klux Klan and derogatory remarks about African Americans. It also included the slogan ``4:20.'' Schubert said that could be interpreted a number of ways.

``It stands for [Adolf] Hitler's birthday, and it's also the date of the Columbine [High School] massacre,'' Schubert said. ``And it's also a reference to using marijuana.''

Wendi Zuk, president of the Griswold PTO, said she spoke with a few parents after the incident was reported.

``I think there are a lot of angry and upset people right now, but parents are also trying not to read too much into this,'' she said.

No arrests were made Thursday, and Schubert said the investigation was ongoing. He said the graffiti was found along the front wall of the school near its main entrance. In addition, 12 windows were smashed, but Paskiewicz said the school was not entered.

``This is tragic, but there's an element in society that thinks this sort of thing is appropriate and fun,'' Paskiewicz said. ``But I think the majority of people in this town do not condone or support this sort of thing.''

He said the school system will take extra security measures at Griswold, but would not elaborate. This is not the first time Griswold has been vandalized.

``Because it is hidden from view from the street, Griswold is more vulnerable to vandalism,'' Paskiewicz said.

A letter was sent home to parents explaining what happened and what was done.